Adderall Addiction

Can Adderall Addiction Kill You? Learn More...

The risk of Adderall addiction or abuse must be taken seriously
because Adderall can be habit forming when used for long periods of time
or at higher than recommended doses.

Adderall is a stimulant that is used to treat ADHD
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). At levels prescribed by a
doctor it is safe, but all stimulants cause a "high" at higher doses.

Signs of Adderall intoxication include an irregular heartbeat,
dangerously high body temperatures, and the potential for cardiovascular
failure or seizures. Ingesting high doses of stimulants can lead to
hostility or feelings of paranoia and hostility in some individuals.

The Statistics

According to a 1996 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) study, roughly 30-50%
of adolescents in drug treatment centers reported "non-medical" use of
stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin.

A 1998 Indiana University study of 44,232 students
found that 6.8 percent of ninth-graders surveyed reported using Ritalin
or Adderall, either snorted or injected, at least once. Of those
students, 2.5 percent reported Adderall abuse monthly or more often. In
addition, some adolescents abuse Adderall for it's contribution toward
weight loss.

The Pattern Of Adderall Addiction

Addiction is rarely intentional, rather it occurs when an individual
begins to depend on the immediate and predictable high Adderall
provides. Addiction is characterized by increasing dosages and frequent
episodes of use, followed by an enormous “low” in the form of
depression.ad

Over time, drugs can derail motivation to perform everyday
life demands. Activities or relationships that were previously
enjoyable go largely ignored in favor of drug use and recovery time.

Adderall tablets are either abused orally, or crushed and
snorted. It can also be dissolved in water and injected, but this is
more rare. A popular means of dispersal is adolescents giving or selling
their Adderall medication to their peers. Crushing the tablets and
snorting the powder like cocaine is popular. Another form of Adderall abuse is through dissolving Adderall in water and injecting the
fluid.

Safety Tips

Adderall should not be mixed with other medications without the approval
of a doctor, especially antidepressants or over-the-counter cold
medicines. Antidepressants may enhance the effects of Adderall, and
Adderall in combination with decongestants may cause blood pressure to
become dangerously high or lead to irregular heart rhythms.

Make sure Adderall is only taken as directed, and
inform children to never share pills with friends. Avoid problems by
dispensing all medication to your child yourself in order to make sure
it is not abused. Keep all medications out of reach. If medication is
needed during the school day, it should be administered by the school
nurse.

Treatment

Treatment for addiction, depending on the severity, often combines an initial detoxification if necessary and a course of behavioral therapy. A detox is medically monitored and is made as painless as possible with medication.

Afterwards, group counseling helps members cope with the causes and consequences of their drug use, and learn more healthy adaptive behaviors in lieu of abusing drugs.